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BSE Found in Dead Cow in Wales

WALES, UK - A case of classical BSE has been found in a dead cow in Wales, the Welsh Government has confirmed.

The Welsh Deputy Minister for Farming and Food, Rebecca Evans, said that the case posed no risk to human health, as no infected meat had entered the food chain.

According to OIE figures, this is the first case of BSE, or Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, identified in the UK this year.

Ms Evans said the last case to be recorded in Wales was in 2013.

"The case was identified as a result of the strict control measures we have in place," she said.

Explaining the testing procedures in place, she said: "All animals over four years of age that die on a farm are routinely tested for the disease under our comprehensive surveillance system.

"Whilst the disease is not directly transmitted from animal to animal, its cohorts, including offspring, have been traced and isolated, and will be destroyed in line with EU requirements."

Ms Evans added: "Identification of this case demonstrates that the controls we have in place are working well. Beef across the UK continues to be produced in compliance with the World Organisation for Animal Health rules."

Welsh government officials are working with APHA and DEFRA to investigate the case.